The holidays are for laughter, cheer, and raising a glass (or two) with the people you love most. We’re showcasing cozy warm drinks that feel like a hug in a mug, sparkling festive concoctions that dazzle at any party, and so many other recipes. These 50 holiday cocktails are guaranteed to impress your friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a big gathering, gifting a boozy treat, or simply treating yourself, there’s a drink here for every palate and every festive moment.
50 Holiday Cocktails
Eva Longoria Inspired Sangria
Eva Longoria–inspired a sangria that blends bold Rioja, brandy, Cointreau, citrus, and crisp fruit. It’s also lightened with club soda for a festive yet refreshing holiday cocktail.
Beet Red Sangria
With earthy beet simple syrup mingling with red wine, citrus, herbs, and a splash of Cointreau, this Beet Red Sangria offers a complex, jewel-toned twist on the classic party pitcher.
Spice is Nice Sangria, A Batch Cocktail
Warm chai tea, vanilla liqueur, and red wine come together in this Spice Is Nice Sangria for a cozy, mulled‑wine–vibed batch cocktail that’s perfect for fall or winter gatherings.
Thyming is Everything
A sparkling blend of apple cider and vodka, brightened with fresh thyme and citrus—this cocktail recipe brings light, festive warmth to your Thanksgiving toast.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini
This Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini swirls rich espresso, creamy pumpkin‑spice almond creamer, and vodka into a cozy, autumnal treat rimmed with chocolate.
Hot Honey Toddy
A warming mix of whiskey, spicy hot honey, and bright lemon simmered in steaming water — this hot honey toddy delivers cozy heat with a soothing, sweet kick.
Starlight Negroni
Gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari combine with ginger liqueur and candied ginger in a batch Negroni that brings warmth and sophistication to any winter gathering.
Stone Fruit Sour
Bright lemon mingles with apricot and peach liqueurs, tart cherry juice, and Maker’s Mark in a nostalgic yet elegant fruit-punch batch cocktail that’s built for sharing.
Piña Paradise Mojito
A bright and bubbly batch mojito layers fresh mint, tart lime, white rum, and fizzy club soda for a lively, crowd‑pleasing drink.
Buddy’s Breakfast (Elf)
A buttery kiss of maple syrup and a hint of vanilla swirl into spiced rum and cola, all rimmed with hot fudge and holiday candy for an Elf‑inspired cocktail that’s as sweet and nostalgic as Buddy’s surprising breakfast.
Melted Snowman (Frosty the Snowman)
A cozy, dessert‑worthy drink of Kahlúa, whipped cream vodka, and cream, topped with whipped cream and playful sprinkles — the Melted Snowman cocktail is festive, sweet, and totally charming.
Clarence’s Mulled Wine (It’s A Wonderful Life)
Warm, fruity Syrah swirls with Cognac, maple syrup, orange, and a spice-laden punch of cinnamon, star anise, and cloves to create Clarence’s Mulled Wine—an angelic, wintertime sip that feels like a cozy hug.
Rudolph’s Red-Nose Punch (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Cranberry juice, ginger ale, and raspberry vodka mingle in a festive punch bowl, garnished with cranberries and pretzels for a charming, holiday‑spirited sipper.
Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate (The Polar Express)
Velvety Mexican chocolate, warm milk, a whisper of cayenne and ancho chile — and a splash of tequila to turn up both the heat and the holiday spirit.
Happy Christmas Boozy Root Beer Float (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
A nostalgic float of vanilla ice cream and root beer gets a merry makeover with Grey Goose vodka, a splash of crème de menthe, and fizzy lift to bring holiday cheer.
Cousin Eddie’s Trailer Fuel (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)
Tequila, lime, agave syrup, and a splash of beer combine in Cousin Eddie’s Trailer Fuel for a laid-back, margarita‑meets-beer cocktail with a hilarious holiday twist.
Ginger Snap Cocktail (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town)
Warm apple cider simmers with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and ancho chile, then gets spiked with spiced rum and served in mugs rimmed with crushed Biscoff cookie dust for a cozy, holiday‑spiced Ginger Snap Cocktail.
Stroopwafel Flip (Miracle on 34th Street)
A silky flip of bourbon, cold-brew coffee, cream, and a whole egg — rimmed in crushed waffle cone and caramel — the Stroopwafel Flip delivers a plush, dessert-worthy holiday sip. The inspiration here comes from the moment the film’s Santa speaks perfect Dutch to a little girl new to the United States.
Red Ryder Punch (A Christmas Story)
Gin meets tangy hibiscus‑blueberry tea, lemon, and rosemary syrup in Red Ryder Punch, a festive, scarlet-hued holiday sipper inspired by A Christmas Story.
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Pears, warm spice, and vanilla simple syrup swirl with non‑alcoholic rum and ginger beer in a fragrant, alcohol‑free twist.
Two Turtle Doves
A silky, frothy blend of tequila and smoky mezcal meets espresso, cherry and cranberry juices, triple sec, and chocolate bitters — crowned with an egg-white foam and a dusting of cocoa for a festive, nostalgic holiday cocktail.
Three French Hens
A lively fizz of gin, lemon, and simple syrup topped with sparkling wine — this take on the French 75 is a timeless, elegant cocktail that brings bubbly sophistication to any celebration.
Four Calling Birds
A smoky mezcal and Amaro Nonino riff on the classic Aviation, brightened with maraschino liqueur and fresh lemon juice for a sophisticated, four‑part flight of flavor.
Five Golden Rings
Limoncello mingles with yellow Chartreuse, fresh lemon juice, lemon sherbet, and egg white in a bright, frothy cocktail that shimmers like liquid gold and brings holiday cheer.
Six Geese a-Laying
Toasted oats infuse Grey Goose vodka with nutty richness, then blend with matcha syrup, lime, Dolin Génépy, and a foamy egg‑white top in the Six Geese a‑Laying cocktail for a festive, refined sip.
Seven Swans a-Swimming
A crisp, tart blend of white rum, fresh lime and grapefruit juices, and maraschino liqueur — no sugar, just bold, balanced flavor.
Eight Maids a-Milking
A silky, vegan twist on the classic Puerto Rican coquito. We’re blending coconut milk, spiced “tea,” and aged rum for a creamy, festive holiday cocktail.
Nine Ladies Dancing
A warm, dance‑inspired blend of Don Julio Blanco tequila, fig‑thyme syrup, bergamot, and a pinch of cinnamon. We’re spinning this sweet fruit into cozy holiday spice.
Ten Lords a-Leaping
Bourbon meets crisp apple juice, lemon, and sweet demerara in the Ten Lords a‑Leaping cocktail. Add a frothy egg-white top and a regal apple-fan garnish for a festive holiday toast.
Eleven Pipers Piping
A warm blend of spiced cinnamon syrup and bitters topped with bright sparkling wine. The Eleven Pipers Piping cocktail brings cozy holiday charm in a fizz.
Twelve Drummers Drumming
A festive rum cocktail that mixes hibiscus tea, apple cider, ginger liqueur, lemon, and cinnamon syrup. It’s also shaken and served over ice for a celebratory sip.
Kids’ Choice
A fizzy, family‑friendly mocktail that mixes cranberry and ginger ale with a splash of club soda for a sweet drink the kids can toast with.
The Peacekeeper
A calming blend of botanical gin, lemon, honey, and tulsi rose‑tea syrup stirred into warm herbal tea. Try The Peacekeeper for a soothing pick that’s perfect for the holiday’s most diplomatic guest.
Drunk Uncle
A smooth-and-savory twist on an Old Fashioned. Cognac and rye mingle with rich brown-butter syrup and bitters over a giant ice cube and peel of orange.
The Babysitter
Spiced pomegranate syrup, vodka, citrus, and grenadine shake together to make The Babysitter. It’s a light, fruity cocktail that’s playful and grown‑up all at once.
Cranberry Margarita
Tart cranberry juice, silver tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice shake together. Sip on a Cranberry Margarita that’s winter‑party ready.
Cranberry Rosemary Spritz
Tart cranberry juice and herby rosemary–simple syrup mingle under a bubbly pour of prosecco. Our Cranberry Rosemary Spritz is festive, fragrant, and perfect for holiday toasts.
Cranberry Kombucha Apple Cider Rum Punch
With sparkling cranberry kombucha, spiced apple cider, and dark rum mingling under a float of thyme and lemon.
Espresso Negroni
A bold twist on a classic Negroni, the Espresso Negroni layers rich, freshly brewed espresso with gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and citrus syrup for a caffeinated, bittersweet sip.
The Chrisma-Politan, A Christmas Cocktail
A festive cranberry‑vodka Cosmopolitan spiced with cinnamon syrup and lime — the Chrisma‑Politan brings holiday cheer in a sleek, sippable twist.
Shake Up a Coquito, a Puerto Rican Christmas Cocktail
Creamy coconut cream, warm spices, and aged Puerto Rican rum swirl into this rich, tropical Coquito. It’s a festive Christmas cocktail that’s like an island eggnog.
Three Wisest Men and a Cocktail
A warming blend of cognac, cinnamon‑simple syrup, and sweet apple butter. The Three Wisest Men and a Cocktail feels like a cozy holiday hug in a glass.
Mulled Wine
A warm and fragrant mulled wine recipe that simmers red wine with maple syrup, apples, and a cozy mix of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice—making it the perfect festive drink for cold winter nights.
Winter Hot Toddy
A soothing winter warmer of bourbon, honey, lemon, and aromatic spices (cinnamon, cloves, star anise). The Winter Hot Toddy is like a hug in a mug for chilly nights.
The Appalachian Trail
A smoky, campfire‑warm blend of cognac, rye, bourbon, and calvados, sweetened with apple‑cinnamon syrup and served over smoldering woodchips.
Moonshine Hot Chocolate
Moonshine and spiced rum swirl into rich, molten hot chocolate for a cozy, dessert‑worthy cocktail that warms you from the inside out.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
A rich, spiced hot chocolate that’s been amped up with tequila, ancho chile, and cinnamon. It’s perfect for warming your spirits on a chilly night.
Spiked Cardamom Coffee
Vodka and espresso team up with fragrant cardamom syrup, cream, and a pinch of allspice. This Spiked Cardamom Coffee is a warm, aromatic mellow‑meets-spirited cup.
Spiked Cider
Spiced apple cider gets a boozy boost with bourbon, rum, or vodka. Then garnish the mug with cinnamon sticks and orange slices for the ultimate cozy nightcap.
Clove Old Fashioned
Clove‑infused syrup warms up a classic bourbon Old Fashioned, lending deep spice and cozy aromatics to a timeless, winter-ready cocktail.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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